5 Tennessee football takeaways from win over New Mexico State

Tennessee football played nowhere near its best but still beat New Mexico State 42-9 in its homecoming game.

The 20th-ranked Vols (7-3, 3-3 SEC) took a 21-0 lead early in the second quarter, which was easily enough to coast to the victory on Nov. 15.

Tennessee plays its final SEC road game at Florida on Nov. 22. Here are five takeaways from this win over New Mexico State (3-7).

Tennessee football vs. New Mexico State takeaways

Vols scored sixth defensive touchdown of 2025

Cornerback William Wright, a sixth-year senior, picked off a pass deflected by Tyre West and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown in the third quarter.

It was Tennessee’s sixth defensive touchdown this season, one shy of the single-season program record set in 1971. Colton Hood scored on an interception return and a fumble return. Kaleb Beasley and Joshua Josephs each scored on a fumble return. Wright and Edrees Farooq each scored on an interception return.

In 1971, the Vols scored seven defensive TDs on six interception returns and one fumble return.

Joey Aguilar cracked top 10 list for TD passes

Quarterback Joey Aguilar had some highs and lows in an abbreviated outing. He had a 27-yard TD run and a 15-yard TD pass. But he also threw two interceptions, tying his season high.

Aguilar finished 17-of-23 passing for 204 yards, one TD and two interceptions. And he rushed for 34 yards and one score. He left the game early in the fourth quarter with UT leading 42-3.

Aguilar extended his 200-yard streak. He has passed for at least 200 yards in all 34 starts of his Division I career, including 10 at UT and 24 at Appalachian State. That’s the longest active streak in FBS.

Aguilar’s 22nd TD pass tied Peyton Manning (1995) and Casey Clausen (2001) for 10th place on UT’s single-season list. Notably, Manning and Clausen had more TD passes in other seasons. Manning owns the school record with 36 TD passes in 1997.

In relief of Aguilar, Jake Merklinger and George MacIntyre each completed one pass.

Braylon Staley heating up among nation’s top freshmen

Redshirt freshman wide receiver Braylon Staley continued his recent scoring surge with a 15-yard TD catch, marking his fourth TD in the past four games and sixth of the season. Staley finished with five catches for 58 yards and one TD.

Staley has distinguished himself as one of the top freshmen in college football. He entered the game leading all FBS freshmen in receiving yards and ranking second in receptions and TD catches.

Star Thomas scored against his former team

Star Thomas, a former New Mexico State standout, scored on a 21-yard TD run. He was an All-Conference USA performer for New Mexico State, playing alongside quarterback Diego Pavia there in 2022-23.

Thomas led a deep rotation of running backs for the Vols, who rushed for 194 yards. DeSean Bishop, a former Karns High standout, led with 80 yards and one TD on 16 carries.

Defense added to SEC-leading takeaways total

Despite UT’s shortcomings on defense this season, it entered the game tied for the SEC lead in takeaways. The Vols added two more takeaways against New Mexico State for a total of 18 on the season.

Wright’s TD was the top highlight. But in the first quarter, freshman cornerback Ty Redmond made a one-handed interception over the middle for his second pick of the season. It set up a touchdown three plays later.

Defensive lineman Daevin Hobbs had nine tackles and two pass breakups, both career highs. And Hood had a career-high seven tackles.

UT’s defense was shorthanded due to several players listed on the inactive list. Linebacker Arion Carter (foot), Josephs (unspecified), edge rusher Jordan Ross (unspecified) and defensive back Boo Carter (unspecified) were not available to play.

Adam Sparks is the Tennessee football beat reporter. Email adam.sparks@knoxnews.com. X, formerly known as Twitter@AdamSparks. Support strong local journalism by subscribing at knoxnews.com/subscribe.

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